Soil Physicochemical Properties after 10 Years of Animal Waste Application

Application of animal waste to cropland provides a method of waste disposal and benefits both soil and crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long‐term effects of land application of animal waste and inorganic fertilizer on selected soil chemical and physical properties. The animal waste applications were conducted from 1999 through 2008 near Tribune, KS, with 10 treatments (three levels each of cattle manure and swine effluent [P, N, and 2N], three levels of N fertilizer, and a control). Soil chemical and physical properties were measured to evaluate the effect of 10 yr of application of these treatments. Cattle manure application at the 2N level increased Mehlich‐3 P, total N, total C, and organic matter (OM) concentrations to about 19, 2.8, 2.5, and 2.5 times, respectively, compared with those of the untreated check. Physical properties of the soil such as water content at −1.5 MPa, modulus of rupture, Proctor maximum bulk density, and optimum water content for compaction improved with the application of cattle manure. Highly significant relationships ( P < 0.001) were observed between soil OM and soil water content at −1.5 MPa, both Proctor maximum and field bulk densities, optimum water content for compaction, and steady‐state infiltration rate. Cattle manure treatments improved soil resistance to compaction, largely due to the additional OM that builds in soil with the application of cattle manure.